Frost dates for 85285 — Tempe, AZ
Last spring frostFeb 13median date
First fall frostDec 5median date
Growing season295 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone10aZone 10a
How Tempe compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tempe falls between January 12 and March 9, a 56-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 18 and December 24.
- The median last frost is 62 days earlier than the Arizona median of Apr 16.
- Its 295-day growing season is among the longest of the 193 Arizona places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 17 days earlier than the zone 10a median of Mar 2. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 10a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 10 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Mesa, AZ, 13 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 12 |
| 50% (median) | February 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 18 |
| 50% (median) | December 5 |
| 90% (late) | December 24 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Tempe, AZ
Frost dates for 85285 — Tempe, AZ — last frost Feb 13, first frost Dec 5, zone 10a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 21 to Dec 5Transplant outside: Jan 16 to Jan 30
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 7
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 16 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 2 to Jan 23Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 2 to Jan 23Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 14
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Oct 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Plant for fall: Nov 21 to Dec 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tempe, AZ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 16 – Feb 20 | Oct 10 – Nov 7 |
| Kale | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Okra | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — |
| Basil | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 2 – Jan 23 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 2 – Jan 23 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 9 – Feb 20 | Oct 24 – Nov 14 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 20 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 20 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 26 – Oct 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Oct 10 – Oct 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 21 – Dec 26 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Tempe Asu, AZ weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,168 ft (356 m)).
ZIP codes in Tempe: 85280 85281 85282 85283 85284 85285 85287 85288
Frost dates near Tempe
- Mesa Feb 1 · Dec 10
- Chandler Feb 13 · Dec 5
- Paradise Valley Jan 6 · Dec 26
- Scottsdale Jan 6 · Dec 26
- Phoenix Jan 5 · Jan 3
- Gilbert Feb 1 · Dec 11
- Higley Feb 1 · Dec 11
- Laveen Jan 14 · Dec 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tempe, AZ?
The median last spring frost in Tempe, AZ is February 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tempe, AZ?
The median first fall frost is December 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 18.
How long is the growing season in Tempe, AZ?
About 295 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tempe, AZ?
Tempe, AZ is in USDA hardiness zone 10a.